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What is it REALLY like to be a pediatric occupational therapist? Would it be useful to major in behavioral sciences with a child life focus if I want to become a pediatric occupational therapist?
What is it REALLY like to be a pediatric occupational therapist? Would it be useful to major in behavioral sciences with a child life focus if I want to become a pediatric occupational therapist?
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Dr Lucas’s Answer
Hi Karina,
Being a pediatric occupational therapist is a rewarding mix of science and creativity, focusing on play to help kids learn essential life skills. Your interest in behavioral sciences with a child life focus is a perfect start for this career.
What a Pediatric OT Does:
Your main goal is to help children engage in activities like play, learning, self-care, and socializing. You'll work on challenges with fine motor skills, sensory processing, and thinking skills.
Daily Tasks: Your day will be busy and varied, from checking a toddler's development to leading a sensory-motor group at a school. You'll use play in sessions, like improving handwriting through games or helping a child with autism handle sensory issues.
Your Role: You act as a coach, detective, and cheerleader. Besides therapy, you'll work with parents, teachers, and other professionals to support the child's growth. This job requires patience, creativity, and empathy, as progress can be slow but rewarding.
Workplaces and Job Outlook: You can work in hospitals, schools, clinics, or early intervention programs. The field is growing, with good job prospects and the satisfaction of helping children gain confidence and independence.
How Your Major Helps:
Your major provides essential knowledge for this field:
- It covers child development, psychology, and learning theories, key for assessing and helping children.
- The behavioral sciences part helps with evidence-based strategies for managing behavior and building skills.
- A child life focus emphasizes therapeutic play and family-centered care, aligning with core OT values.
Graduate School Note: While your major is a great start, you'll need specific science courses like anatomy, physiology, and statistics for a master's or doctoral program in Occupational Therapy. Plan these courses with your major.
Steps Forward:
1. Finish your bachelor's degree.
2. Complete graduate school prerequisites.
3. Get a Master's (MOT) or Doctorate (OTD) in Occupational Therapy.
4. Pass the national board exam (NBCOT) to become a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).
5. Get state licensure and consider Board Certification in Pediatrics (BCP) later.
You're on a promising path. The empathy and focus from your major are key for a great pediatric OT. Next, research OT graduate programs to ensure your coursework meets their science requirements.
Being a pediatric occupational therapist is a rewarding mix of science and creativity, focusing on play to help kids learn essential life skills. Your interest in behavioral sciences with a child life focus is a perfect start for this career.
What a Pediatric OT Does:
Your main goal is to help children engage in activities like play, learning, self-care, and socializing. You'll work on challenges with fine motor skills, sensory processing, and thinking skills.
Daily Tasks: Your day will be busy and varied, from checking a toddler's development to leading a sensory-motor group at a school. You'll use play in sessions, like improving handwriting through games or helping a child with autism handle sensory issues.
Your Role: You act as a coach, detective, and cheerleader. Besides therapy, you'll work with parents, teachers, and other professionals to support the child's growth. This job requires patience, creativity, and empathy, as progress can be slow but rewarding.
Workplaces and Job Outlook: You can work in hospitals, schools, clinics, or early intervention programs. The field is growing, with good job prospects and the satisfaction of helping children gain confidence and independence.
How Your Major Helps:
Your major provides essential knowledge for this field:
- It covers child development, psychology, and learning theories, key for assessing and helping children.
- The behavioral sciences part helps with evidence-based strategies for managing behavior and building skills.
- A child life focus emphasizes therapeutic play and family-centered care, aligning with core OT values.
Graduate School Note: While your major is a great start, you'll need specific science courses like anatomy, physiology, and statistics for a master's or doctoral program in Occupational Therapy. Plan these courses with your major.
Steps Forward:
1. Finish your bachelor's degree.
2. Complete graduate school prerequisites.
3. Get a Master's (MOT) or Doctorate (OTD) in Occupational Therapy.
4. Pass the national board exam (NBCOT) to become a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).
5. Get state licensure and consider Board Certification in Pediatrics (BCP) later.
You're on a promising path. The empathy and focus from your major are key for a great pediatric OT. Next, research OT graduate programs to ensure your coursework meets their science requirements.